Leonard D Cox

May 14, 1925 - August 05, 2016

U.S. Veteran Leonard D. Cox passed away peacefully at home on August 5, 2016, at the age of 91. He was born May 14, 1925, in Oglesby, Texas, and worked to help his family survive the Great Depression after completing the eighth grade.

He married the love of his life, Shirley Clopton, on the day she graduated from Moody High School in 1943, and spent the next 71 happy years loving her and working with her to build their family and future together. Shortly after they married, Leonard served in the U.S. Army Air Force in the Philippines during World War II, for which he earned two Bronze Stars of Valor. After completing his service, he returned home and attained his GED, and went on to further his education at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, all while working, loving and supporting his young family. Leonard spent many years employed by Collins Radio and Texas Instruments, and moved his family to Sherman in 1966, where they built a beautiful life together. He later became a real estate broker and operated a real estate office in Sherman with Shirley in the 1980’s, where they enjoyed many years working together to build a bright future for themselves and their children. Leonard and Shirley especially enjoyed their retirement years together traveling the world, but they always looked forward the most to returning home to their own Paradise at Bent Creek Lake in Luella.

The struggles and hardships Leonard faced growing up made his success in life even more meaningful and inspirational to his children and others as they witnessed firsthand his devotion to family and friends. Leonard had a special gift of edifying those around him, and it was impossible to walk away from a visit with him without feeling better, happier and more confident in every way! His family and friends saw him as selfless, happy, positive and eager to help others without expecting anything in return. He thoroughly enjoyed playing golf badly, tending his amazing garden, and spending time with family and friends at the lake skiing and fishing. Leonard will be greatly missed by those he left behind.

Leonard was preceded in death in 2014 by his dear wife, Shirley, with whom he is now sharing a joyful reunion in Heaven. He is survived by his son Larry Cox and wife Anne of Sherman, Texas; daughter Susan Kavanaugh and husband Mike of San Pedro, California; daughter, Lisa Vinoles of Sherman, Texas; five grandchildren, Brian Kavanaugh of San Pedro, California, Tracy Polizzi and husband Ryan of Charlotte, North Carolina; Jeff Anderson and Jennifer Webb of Sherman, Texas; Danny Anderson and wife Elizabeth of Denver, Colorado; and Sam Krider of Sherman, Texas; and one great-grandson Jake Kavanaugh of San Pedro, California. The family would like to thank Dad’s caregivers, Dee Christman and Cheryl Bradford, who loved him dearly and helped him through his difficult transition from this life to the next over the past two years.

The family will receive friends and loved ones at Waldo Funeral Home in Sherman, Texas, on Sunday, August 7, 2016, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with memorial services scheduled for Monday, August 8, 2016, at 10:00 am. Reverend Jimmy Greene will officiate. Graveside services will follow at Holloway Cemetery on Luella Road in Sherman, and family and friends are invited to celebrate Leonard’s life and influence over lunch at his home in Luella following the graveside service. Memorial donations to Alzheimer research are requested by the family in lieu of flowers.